Introduction
I have been using the T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition (XDA) for the last nine months and just recently tried the Samsung SPH-i700 (i700) for 2 weeks. Why would I switch? There really is no good reason for me switching other than the i700 is the latest device, and us geeks have to have the latest. I was pretty happy with the XDA and it had served me well, solidifying my position on being a "single device" guy. As it turns out, I decided to return the i700 and keep the XDA for a little while longer. Not because the XDA is better, but because of my current needs. In this review, I hope to provide you with the information that I used to evaluate the two devices together.
The XDA is manufactured by a Tiawanese company called High Tech Computing (HTC). HTC is a OEM that manufacturers products on contract for more well known companies, such as the HP iPAQs. The XDA is available from many different carriers under different names - T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition, AT&T Siemens SX-56, O2 XDA, T-Mobile MDA, QTek 1010, etc. All of these devices are based on roughly the same hardware platform, but may vary in firmware, outside appearance, and hardware features that are enabled. For this comparison, I am using the T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition, but will focus only on the product features that are available from all of the carriers. In the Carriers/Plans discussion, I will describe features that are specific to T-Mobile.
Display
The display situation is quite interesting. The i700 has a 16 bit, 65K color trans-reflective display, while the XDA provides a 12 bit, 4K color reflective display. They are both 3.5", proven by the fact that an XDA WriteShield screen protector fits the i700 perfectly. The XDA only has 2 settings for the backlight, on and off. The i700 has 5 backlight settings and defaults to the middle setting. The picture below shows the difference between the displays with the i700 set on the default setting.
No jokes about my XDA screen being broken!
In the picture below, both the XDA and i700 have their screens set to the brightest setting, but the i700 is still noticably brighter when set at the default setting. The other thing to note is that the XDA has a naked screen here, while the i700 has a WriteShield installed. Its pretty obvious in this picture the difference in the screens. It is very noticable in person too. I had always considered the XDA screen very good, and still do (my prior device was an Audiovox Maestro... not the best display... same as a Thera). When you put it next to the i700 you think it looks bad.
The situation with the display comparison takes a dramatic change when you take the devices outside into direct sunlight. While the XDA display looks nearly identical to how it looks indoors, the i700 is very faint and hard to see. The i700 is definitely usable, but you have to squint and tilt the display to try and shade it. With the XDA, all is well.
Sound
Both the XDA and i700 provide similar features for sound. They both provide speakerphone capability, stereo sound, vibrate function, and they both come with a stereo earbud that perform pretty well (note that the T-Mobile XDA comes with a stereo earbud... some carriers ship it with a mono earbud, but provide the stereo version as an option accessory).
As a speakerphone, both devices perform similarly. To enable the speakerphone function, you simply hold down the send button for a few seconds. To disable the speakerphone, your reverse this step. For sound quality, they are both very usable as a speakerphone when in a normal office setting, but are tough to use in a noise environment (as a speakerphone). The i700 does get a slight edge here as it has an extra speaker on the back of the phone which is used for the speakerphone function. The XDA uses the same speaker as a telephone earpiece and for the speakerphone.
The headphone adapters used on the XDA and i700 are different. The XDA requires and adapter to use a standard mobile phone earbud, while the i700 can use a universal earbud. To use standard stereo headphones, an adapter is required for both devices. Inexpensive adapters are available for the XDA, while no such adapters yet exist for the i700.
[Stereo Earbuds
Both the XDA and i700 come with stereo earbuds. Some versions of the XDA (other than T-Mobile) come with a mono earbud, but offer the stereo version as an option accessory. Overall, the earbuds are similar. They are nearly identical in length and both have one ear piece longer than the other. This is designed so that you can run the second ear piece around the back of your neck to the other ear. Then the shorter ear piece lead will be on the side where the phone is located (i.e. belt mounted, in hand, etc.).
Here you can see that the adapter plugs are very different between the two devices. While there are a variety of adapters made for the XDA, none have been created for the i700. Based on a very small test sample, it appears that the i700 can use a standard universal mobile phone earbud, and it does work with the Jabra Universal FreeSpeak Bluetooth headset. Jabra makes a version specifically designed for the XDA.
Moving down the cable, you find the controls cluster. Notice that the XDA earbud has the volume control located in a different control. This is an advantage, as it is much easier to use than the dial on the i700.
Here is a closeup of the XDA volume control...
And, here is a closeup of the i700 volume control...
The send/mute button on the two ear buds work similarly, and they also house the microphone.
Here is a closeup of the XDA mute button and microphone...
And, here is a closeup of the i700 mute button and microphone (volume control in the side) ...
Finally, the actual earpiece on the two devices is very similar, with slightly different styling.
The cabling for the i700 earbud is a bit more sturdy than the XDA which may result in more duability.
Way to go Mike! This is one of the most thorough and objective reviews I have seen in a long time. Good journalism: No hyperbole, just the facts, and self-moderated subjectivity. Keep up the good work.
in the photograph with the 2 pocket pc's the I700is in side of a case, what case is that?? I am interested in purchasing it, get back as soon as possible thanks
It is the T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition's case... with a little stretching and some trimming. There is a detailed thread on that case in this forum. It fits pretty well.. the belt clip is not the greatest. It can be used without the belt clip well also.
Absolutely spectacular, I was so indefinite on wether or not i was going to sell my 2 XDA's for the purchase of an I700, but I think I will rock on with my baby a lil while longer, because really there aren't any real huge advantages to make me want to shell out $600. The 64mb is nice but I'm gonna invest in a 512mb card so no big deal there and I already own a sleek and small 3.0 mp digi-cam so the camera is no huge loss (although i always wanted a camera phone) Thanks a lot Mike
I found this review only a day or two after I posted my own, admittedly much lighter, identical comparison on the pocketnow.com forums.
Interesting how we reached the same conclusions about some features, and differed in others. For example, we agreed about the 'feel' of the i700 being better, and disliking the stock i700 case. However, Mike liked the flatter orientation of the i700 cradle more and I liked the vertical orientation of the XDA/SX56 more. I suppose this is because the PDA is easier to SEE in a vertical orientation and easier to WRITE ON in a horizontal one. I actually take it out of the cradle whenever I want to write on it. Also, I have had a LOT of difficulty getting the i700 into it's crade. Grrrr...
I also fully agree about the stylus. Soon after I got the SX56, I bought a 3-in-one pen/stylus, and really liked the weight and feel of it. The i700 stylus, by comparison, is far too light and thin (the upper, extracting part, at least) for a writing/penning instrument.
Now that you mention it, I did also notice the sunlight issue with the i700. I remember squinting at it in the bright sun and wondering whether the backlight was on or not. I did not notice the same thing with the XDA/SX56.
I don't intend to do a lot of web browsing from the phone, so the inability to connect with voice and data simultaneously doesn't really concern me. OTOH, when I DO connect, I want as great a speed as possible, so the CDMA/Verizon data service seems better. I haven't clocked it yet, though...
I bought a Samsung SPH-i700 one week ago, Monday, 6/9, at the Verizon store here in San Francisco. I think maybe I had the first one in town.
I was also trying out an AT&T/Siemens SX56 which I returned yesterday, so I had the two together for 6 days. Here is my comparison:
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FORM/DESIGN: The SX56 is better designed than the i700. It's a *little* lighter, a more streamlined and stylish, and has a beefier antennae. The i700 is a tiny bit narrower, however, and perhaps a tiny bit more comforatble to hold. It also has a more comfortable Nav-key pad.
FORM: SX56 wins
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CRADLE: The i700 cradle is difficult. You have to jam the unit into the cradle every time, and it often requires a few tries to make a connection. The SX56 cradle is very well-designed, and the PDA slips in and out easily. Also, the SX56 sits more upright in it's cradle, making it easier to see.
CRADLE: SX56 wins BIG!
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INCLUDED CASE: The case included with the SX56 is high-quality leather and functional. The case that came with the i700 is clunky, ugly, plasticky, and big. It has no belt clip, just a puzzling little carrying loop. SX56 wins big here, but of course, you'll soon be able to buy aftermarket cases for the i700.
CASE: SX56 wins BIG!
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SCREEN: Though they are exactly the same size and resolution, the i700 screen is FAR brighter, more colorful, and more enjoyable than the SX56. It's incredibly bright, and you can adjust the backlight level if you are concerned about power.
SCREEN: i700 wins BIG!
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POWER/BATTERY: The SX56 has an integrated, non-replacable battery. The i700 comes with TWO detachable, replacable batteries: a 'standard', which provides about as much as the SX56, and an 'extended', which easily lasted ALL weekend without a charge, albeit without tons of phone/screen use. You can change batteries without losing data, so with the two together, you might make it to the moon and back.
BATTERY: i700 wins BIG!
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PERFORMANCE: The i700 is noticeably but not extremely faster.
PERFORMANCE: i700 wins
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INTEGRATED CAMERA: The i700 has a built-in ~.33 megapixel camera. It takes grainy but passable pictures in up to 640x480 resolution. The color is pretty good, and the provided camera application seems perfectly adequate as a photo taker AND viewer. Though I wouldn't rely on it for any serious photography, I'll always have it with me. I've had a lot of fun with it already (mostly showing it off!), and find it very valuable. The SX56 has no integrated camera.
CAMERA: i700 wins BIG!
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MEMORY: The SX56 has only 32MB of memory to divide between applications and data, whereas the i700 has 64MB. I've found the difference to be very significant. After loading a few apps (not even very large ones), I was approaching the limit for the SX56 and considering the RAM upgrade from PPCtechs.com. I think the i700 will have plenty for any apps I want to install.
MEMORY: i700 wins BIG!
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PHONE COVERAGE/SERVICE: One of the main reasons I tried out the i700 is because of spotty digital coverage in San Francisco with the AT&T/SX56. I've found the Verizon service to be steadier and more complete than AT&T. Also, when turning the phone on or off, the Verizon/i700 connects and disconnects much more quickly.
PHONE COVERAGE: Verizon/i700 wins
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EXPANSION SLOT: Both cards accept Secure Digital expansion memory cards. The i700, allegedly, also supports SDIO cards, which I guess means devices like GPS/bluetooth/WiFi/Audio/etc.
EXPANSION SLOT: i700 wins
Conclusion: I picked Verizon and the i700 because of the better coverage, integrated camera, more memory, and nicer screen.
I also found that even though I've had an AT&T number for two years, they won't offer any sort of forwarding message if I cancel my service (criminals). However, you can just convert your old account to 'prepaid' for $10 every 45 days, and leave a message on your voice mail greeting directing your friends/family/customers/stalkers to your new number.
After having the i700 for a couple of weeks now, I have the following observations:
1. The cradle issue is not nearly as serious as I originally experienced it to be. I had been trying to place the unit flat in the cradle, then slide it downward. A Samsung rep told me instead to hold the unit at a steeper angle, place the butt end down on the connector, press gently, then TILT the unit back onto the cradle. It works much better this way.
2. The i700 screen is really difficult to see in daylight. I may even have stuck with the XDA if I had realized the seriousness of this problem when I had them both. OTOH, if you like gaming, and see yourself using it mostly indoors or at night, the brightness and brilliance of the i700 is superior.
3. The protruding buttons on the i700 are indeed a veritable design flaw. Fortunately, there is a feature under Start/Settings/System/Power/Etc called "Lock Key". When checked, this prevents any screen taps or other button keys from functioning when the unit is "locked" with the main power button (just under the antennae on the upper right side of the unit. I've found this feature to be invaluable.
4. There are still no aftermarket cases available for the i700! > When are PDA designers going to start integrating case design?
After having the i700 for a couple of weeks now, I have the following observations:
1. The cradle issue is not nearly as serious as I originally experienced it to be. I had been trying to place the unit flat in the cradle, then slide it downward. A Samsung rep told me instead to hold the unit at a steeper angle, place the butt end down on the connector, press gently, then TILT the unit back onto the cradle. It works much better this way.
2. The i700 screen is really difficult to see in daylight. I may even have stuck with the XDA if I had realized the seriousness of this problem when I had them both. OTOH, if you like gaming, and see yourself using it mostly indoors or at night, the brightness and brilliance of the i700 is superior.
3. The protruding buttons on the i700 are indeed a veritable design flaw. Fortunately, there is a feature under Start/Settings/System/Power/Etc called "Lock Key". When checked, this prevents any screen taps or other button keys from functioning when the unit is "locked" with the main power button (just under the antennae on the upper right side of the unit. I've found this feature to be invaluable.
4. There are still no aftermarket cases available for the i700! > When are PDA designers going to start integrating case design?
I just got an i700 and the backlight goes off and won't come back on when the battery gets low, even with hours remaining before the phone powers down.
My SX56 didn't do this, and it's really annoying (making the unit all but unusable for the last several hours of battery life), is it normal behavior for the i700 or is mine defective? Any way to disable it?
When are PDA designers going to start integrating case design?
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